WTM London 2025 Tech Summit to Explore AI, Data, eSIMs, & Disruption in Global Travel Industry

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The WTM London Technology Summit is poised to explore how technology can equip professionals in the travel sector to navigate persistent global disruptions and pressing industry challenges. Set for Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the summit will spotlight innovative solutions designed to help travel businesses overcome obstacles and maintain a competitive edge. As the industry confronts significant hurdles, ranging from economic volatility to shifting consumer behaviour, the event will underscore technology’s critical role in fostering adaptation and driving growth.

According to Travel and Tour World, WTM London, widely regarded as the travel industry’s most influential event, is centring its 2025 Technology Summit on this pivotal theme. Organised by RX, the three-hour event will commence at 10:45 AM on the Purple Stage. It will convene a diverse group of technology leaders, including top-tier executives and entrepreneurs, as well as experts in law, investment, and research.

Reflecting WTM London’s overarching theme, “Reimagining Travel in a Changing World,” the summit will feature twelve curated sessions. Timothy O’Neil-Dunne, WTM’s technology advisor, has designed these sessions. O’Neil-Dunne, a respected industry figure and a founding member of Expedia’s management team in the 1990s, is now a principal at the aviation and tourism consultancy T2Impact Ltd.

A key highlight includes a 20-minute conversation at 1:50 PM titled “Connected Futures: Tech, Data, and the Power of eSIMs.” This session will feature O’Neil-Dunne and Pablo Gómez Fernandez-Quintanilla, CEO of Holafly, which serves as WTM London’s official Technology Partner. They will explore the evolving landscape of technology, data, and mobile connectivity.

Artificial intelligence (AI), a dominant topic in the industry, will be a recurring theme. One session will feature a lively debate on whether AI’s buzz might mask potential challenges for the sector, featuring panellists Stephen Joyce of Prospect Group and Christian Watts of Magpie Travel.

The summit will also address the legal and practical dimensions of AI. Rhys Griffiths and Farina Azam, partners at the travel law firm Fox Williams, will dissect the legal and regulatory implications of AI adoption. From the investment perspective, Andreas Nau of Ennea Capital Partners and Min Liu of Cambon Partners will share insights on how the financial sector is handling AI-driven disruption.

Further sessions will explore AI’s direct impact on professions and processes. James Lever from DataArt and Gulce Rozenveld from Oojo.com will discuss how AI is actively reshaping travel agents’ roles. Sally Bunnell from NaviSavi will address AI’s influence on travel planning, particularly how video content is becoming a crucial factor in consumer decision-making.

We will also cover the growing significance of data in the era of AI. Dave Goodger of Tourism Economics will explain how travel-specific insights, when combined with economic data, can lead to better business decisions. Meanwhile, Thomas Dillon from A3M and James Spalding from Trip.com Group will tackle the critical balance between demands for hyperpersonalization and the necessity of strict data privacy and security.

We will prominently feature payments, a field of constant innovation. A dedicated session will highlight how technology is creating payment solutions that help the travel industry thrive. Industry leaders such as James Lemon from Stripe, Will Plummer of Trust My Group, Livia Vite from actuary.aero, and Qais Amori from Almosafer will offer diverse perspectives on the evolving payment landscape across the B2B and B2C sectors.

Airlines will have a more significant presence at this year’s Technology Summit. Filip Filipov from OAG will provide a snapshot of key airline and flight data trends. Additionally, Amanda Campbell of T2RL and Nadine Wood, formerly of Qantas, will discuss the evolution of low-cost carriers and the lessons legacy carriers can learn from their success.

Finally, Roman Townsend from Belvera Partners will showcase the latest advancements in artificial and virtual reality, demonstrating their practical potential within the travel sector.

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The technologies discussed at WTM London, particularly AI, data, and mobile connectivity, have profound implications for the future of tourism in Nigeria and across Africa. Technology is “the great equaliser.” A small tour operator in Calabar or a boutique hotel in Zanzibar can now use platforms like Booking.com, Airbnb, or SafariBookings to reach a global audience, bypassing traditional, expensive marketing channels.

AI and data analytics can transform the tourist experience. Instead of generic packages, AI can analyse a user’s preferences to suggest a personalised itinerary, such as an ecotour in Kenya, a specific cultural festival in Nigeria, or a culinary tour in Cape Town.

Plus, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are game-changers.  VR can offer immersive previews of a safari, a walk through the Pyramids, or a tour of a Lagos hotel room. AR can overlay historical information onto a smartphone camera view of a landmark, enriching the on-site experience.

For hotels and airlines, technology automates and streamlines operations. AI-powered chatbots handle customer enquiries 24/7, keyless entry systems enhance the check-in experience, and data analytics support predictive demand forecasting and revenue management.

As seen in Nigeria, social media and booking apps make it easier for citizens to discover and book trips within their country. This builds resilience in the tourism sector, making it less dependent on international arrivals.

Conversely, tech risk-driven “smart tourism” concentrates its benefits in areas with robust infrastructure. Regions without reliable power or internet will be left further behind, widening economic inequality.

Also, many tourism businesses in Africa are Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The cost of developing an app, adopting AI tools, or investing in new payment systems can be prohibitively high.

While technology creates new roles (e.g., digital marketers), automation (e.g., AI chatbots, automated check-in kiosks) could displace workers in traditional, customer-facing service jobs—a significant source of employment. Plus, the push for hyper-personalisation requires collecting vast amounts of user data. This raises important concerns about data privacy and security, as well as the potential for fraud, especially in regions with developing regulatory frameworks.

While technology presents a clear pathway for Africa’s and Nigeria’s tourism sectors to become more competitive, resilient, and personalised, this potential is tempered by fundamental challenges in infrastructure, funding, and skills development.

Enjoyed this news story? Stay ahead of the curve. Keep tabs on Rex Clarke Adventures for more expert insights and coverage on the future of travel technology.

 

FAQs

1. What is the primary focus of the WTM London Technology Summit?

The summit will focus on how technology (such as AI, data analytics, and new payment systems) can help travel suppliers and sellers navigate global disruptions, overcome industry challenges, and remain competitive.

2. When and where is the summit taking place?

It is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2025, starting at 10:45 AM on the Purple Stage at WTM London.

3. Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) be a significant topic?

Yes, AI will be a recurring theme, with multiple sessions dedicated to its legal implications, its impact on travel agents, its role in consumer decision-making, and a debate on whether it poses challenges for the sector.

4. Who are some of the key partners or speakers mentioned?

Key figures include Timothy O’Neil-Dunne (WTM’s technology advisor), Pablo Gómez Fernandez-Quintanilla (CEO of Holafly, the official technology partner), and experts from firms like Fox Williams, Stripe, OAG, and Trip.com Group.

5. Besides AI, what other technology topics are on the agenda?

The summit will also cover the “Power of eSIMs”, data management, data privacy, innovations in B2B and B2C payments, airline technology trends, and the application of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) in travel.